Carrier For Containers

ABSTRACT

A package carrier for holding at least two container packages includes a handle and a plurality of panels including a top panel and at least one attachment panel. The top panel is for attachment to a top of the at least two container packages such that the at least two container packages are joined to the package carrier at the top panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of each of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/779,689, filed on Dec. 14, 2018, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/783,752, filed on Dec. 21, 2018, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/796,830, filed on Jan. 25, 2019,U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/797,585, filed on Jan. 28,2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/810,015, filed on Feb.25, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/814,412, filed onMar. 6, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/817,120, filedon Mar. 12, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/841,449, filed on May 1, 2019.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosures of each of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/779,689, filed on Dec. 14, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/783,752, filed on Dec. 21, 2018, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/796,830, filed on Jan. 25, 2019, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/797,585, filed on Jan. 28, 2019, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/810,015, filed on Feb. 25, 2019,U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/814,412, filed on Mar. 6,2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/817,120, filed on Mar.12, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/841,449, filedon May 1, 2019, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes asif presented herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to cartons or carriers forholding, displaying, and/or transporting containers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a package carrier for holdingat least two container packages comprises a plurality of panelscomprising a top panel and at least one attachment panel. The packagecarrier further comprises a handle, and the top panel is for attachmentto a top of the at least two container packages such that the at leasttwo container packages are joined to the package carrier at the toppanel.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a blank for forming apackage carrier for holding at least two container packages comprises aplurality of panels comprising a top panel, at least one handle panel,and at least one attachment panel. The top panel is for attachment to atop of the at least two container packages when the package carrier isformed from the blank such that the at least two container packages arejoined to the package carrier at the top panel.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of forming apackage carrier for holding at least two container packages comprisesobtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels that comprises a toppanel, at least one handle panel, and at least one attachment panel. Themethod further comprises attaching the top panel to a top of the atleast two container packages such that the at least two containerpackages are joined to the package carrier at the top panel.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a package carrier incombination with at least two container packages is provided. Thepackage carrier comprises a plurality of panels that comprises a toppanel and at least one attachment panel, and the package carrier furthercomprises a handle. The top panel is attached to a top of the at leasttwo container packages such that the at least two container packages arejoined to the package carrier at the top panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages andother advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments readingthe following detailed description of the embodiments with reference tothe below-listed drawing figures. It is within the scope of the presentdisclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided bothindividually and in various combinations.

According to common practice, the various features of the drawingsdiscussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions ofvarious features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reducedto more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming apackage carrier according to a first exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of packages that can be supportedby the package carrier of the first exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a partially folded configuration of apackage carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 according to the firstexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another partially folded configurationof a package carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 according to thefirst exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package carrier formed from the blankof FIG. 1 and in a first configuration according to the first exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the package carrier of FIG. 5 inthe first configuration.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the package carrier of FIG. 5 in asecond configuration.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming apackage carrier according to a second exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a package carrier formed from the blankof FIG. 8 according to the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming apackage carrier according to a third exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a package carrier formed from the blankof FIG. 10 according to the third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the package carrier of FIG. 11 withtear strips removed.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the package carrier of FIG. 12 havingseparated package carrier sections.

Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbersthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages,constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, for holding and displayingcontainers such as jars, bottles, cans, etc. The containers can be usedfor packaging food and beverage products, for example. The containerscan be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging theparticular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are notlimited to, glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC,EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and/or other metals; or anycombination thereof

Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containersof numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and notfor the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the followingdetailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., aluminum cans)at least partially disposed within the carrier embodiments. In thisspecification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” and“back” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erectedcarriers.

As described herein, carriers may be formed by multiple overlappingpanels, end flaps, and/or other portions of blanks. Such panels, endflaps, and/or other portions of the blanks can be designated in relativeterms to one another, e.g., “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., insequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an exterior side 101 of a blank 103 used toform a handle construct or package carrier 105 (FIG. 3) in accordancewith a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3,the package carrier 105 is sized and configured to extend at leastpartially around and support/hold one or more packages/containercarriers that can include, for example, four containers in a 2×2arrangement or six containers in a 2×3 arrangement. In this regard, thepackage carrier 105 can be sized and configured to support, for example,4 containers, 6 containers, 8 containers, 10 containers, 12 containers,14 containers, 16 containers, 18 containers, 20 containers, etc.,distributed across multiple packages/container carriers. The packagecarrier 105 can be configured to hold a different number of containerswithout departing from the disclosure.

As described above, the containers can be arranged in packages thatinclude a container carrier with containers disposed in each of a frontportion and a back portion of the container carrier. Examples ofpackages/container carriers that can be used with the package carrier105 are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/779,689,filed on Dec. 14, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/783,752, filed on Dec. 21, 2018, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/796,830, filed on Jan. 25, 2019, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/797,585, filed on Jan. 28, 2019, each of which arehereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented hereinin their entirety.

As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and alateral axis L2. The blank 103 includes a top panel 125 foldablyconnected to a second or back handle panel 127 and a first or backattachment panel 129 at respective lateral fold lines 131, 133. A firstor front handle panel 135 is foldably connected to the back handle panel127 at a lateral fold line 137, and a second or front attachment panel139 is foldably connected to the front handle panel 135 at a lateralfold line 141.

The blank 103 can also include handle features associated with thehandle panels 135, 127. The front handle panel 135, as shown, caninclude handle reinforcement flaps 143 that are foldably connected tothe front handle panel 135 at respective curved fold lines 145 and thatare defined by respective generally curved cuts 147 that extend from oneendpoint of the respective fold lines 145 to the other respectiveendpoint. Respective relief cuts 148 can extend from a portion of arespective fold line 145 to a portion of a respective cut 147.Similarly, the back handle panel 127 can include handle reinforcementflaps 149 foldably connected to the back handle panel 127 at respectivecurved fold lines 151 and defined by respective generally curved cuts153, with associated relief cuts 154 extending therebetween. The blank103/package carrier 105 can have differently-configured or arrangedhandle features without departing from the disclosure.

As also shown, the front attachment panel 139 can include a recessededge portion 155 that curves inwardly along a free edge of the frontattachment panel 139 toward the fold line 141.

Any of the panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, or other features could beotherwise shaped, arranged, and/or omitted from the blank 103 withoutdeparting from the disclosure. The blank 103 could be sized and/orshaped to accommodate a greater or fewer number of containers orpackages without departing from the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, a pair of container packages 107 (respectively,“first package” and “second package”, or “second package” and “firstpackage”) that can be engaged by the package carrier 105 are illustratedaccording to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Each containerpackage 107 includes a respective container carrier 109 that engages,retains, and/or supports respective containers, such as beverage cans.In this regard, each container package 107 can include one or morecontainer retention features, e.g., cuts, slits, slots, openings, etc.that engage and/or at least partially receive one or more portions ofrespective beverage containers, for example, a top and/or rim portionthereof Each illustrated container carrier 109 includes a respectivefront portion retaining containers CA1, CA2, CA3 (shown best in FIG. 3)and CA4, CA5, CA6, and a respective back portion retaining respectivecontainers CB1, CB2, CB3 and CB4, CB5, CB6 (shown best in FIG. 6),though the container carriers 109 can be configured to support adifferent number or arrangement of containers without departing from thedisclosure. Each illustrated carrier 109 can include a top panel T, afirst bevel or front side panel S1, and a second bevel or back sidepanel S2. Such an arrangement can be at least partially maintained withan attachment flap F in at least partial face-to-face contact with thetop panel T. At least the top panel T can form a respective top of therespective container carriers 109.

It will be understood that the container packages 107/container carriers109 can have a different configuration without departing from thedisclosure, and that a combination of different packages/containercarriers can be provided.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 3-5, the container packages107/container carriers 109 can be arranged in a front-to-back abuttingrelationship, with the containers CA1, CB1, CA4, CB4 facing a first orfront portion of the package carrier 105 and the containers CA3, CB3,CA6, CB6 facing a second or back portion of the package carrier 105. Thecontainer packages 107/container carriers 109 can be provided in adifferent orientation or arrangement without departing from thedisclosure.

According to one embodiment, an interior surface of the top panel 125can be lowered onto an uppermost portion or top panel T (and anyattachment flap F that may be present) of the respective containerpackages 107/container carriers 109, and the back attachment panel 129can be folded downwardly at the fold line 133 in the direction of thearrow A1 to be in at least partial face-to-face contact with therespective containers CA3, CB3 and CA6, CB6 of the respective containerpackages 107/container carriers 109. In such an orientation, the backattachment panel 129 can provide a billboard, e.g., a surface upon whichprinted indicia such as product advertising, labeling, promotionalinformation, etc. are readily visible to a consumer browsing a retailspace. In such an arrangement, the back attachment panel 129 can also bein at least partial face-to-face contact with an edge or surface of apanel or flap of the respective container packages 107/containercarriers 109.

As shown in FIG. 4, the back handle panel 127 can be folded upwardly atthe fold line 131 in the direction of the arrow A2 relative to the toppanel 125, which may entail an upward movement of the foldably attachedfront handle panel 135 and front attachment flap 139. The front handlepanel 135 can also be folded downwardly at the fold line 137 in thedirection of the arrow A3 such that the front handle panel 135 and theback handle panel 127 are in at least partial face-to-face oroverlapping relation, and such that the handle features of therespective handle panels 135, 127 are generally aligned so as to form ahandle 157 of the package carrier 105.

In such an arrangement, the back handle panel 127 and the front handlepanel 135 can together be folded downwardly in the direction of thearrow A4 at the respective overlapped fold lines 131, 141 such that thefront attachment panel 139 is also urged downwardly and positionedproximate the containers CA1, CB1 and CA4, CB4 of the respectivecontainer packages 107/container carriers 109 and such that the frontattachment panel 139 can be placed in at least partial face-to-facecontact with the containers CA1, CB1 and CA4, CB4. In one embodiment,the front attachment panel 139 can be folded downwardly at the fold line141 into at least partial face-to-face contact with the containers CA1,CB1, CA4, CB4 separately from the aforementioned movement of the handlepanels 127, 135.

In this regard, each of the top panel 125, the front attachment panel139, and the back attachment panel 129 spans both of the containerpackages 107/container carriers 109 so as to couple the containerpackages 107/container carriers 109 to one another, as well as theassociated containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4, CA5, CA6, CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4,CB5, CB6. Accordingly, the package carrier 105 provides multiplepackages and associated container carriers and containers as a singleunit for convenient handling, storage, or transportation. In oneembodiment, the package carrier 105 and the container packages107/container carriers 109 can together be provided as a system 111.

The aforementioned arrangement can be maintained through one or moreapplications of an adhesive, for example, glue. In one embodiment, thetop panel 125 can be at least partially adhered or otherwise attached tothe top panels T of the respective container packages 107/containercarriers 109. In one embodiment, the top panel 125 can be adhered orotherwise attached to or more of the tops of the containers CA1, CA2,CA3, CA4, CB5, CB5. In addition, the front attachment panel 139 can beadhered to one or more of the containers CA1, CB1, CA4, CB4, and theback attachment panel 129 can be adhered to one or more of thecontainers CA3, CB3, CA6, CB6. The front attachment panel 139 and/or theback attachment panel 129 could be adhered to one or more panels of thecontainer packages 107/container carriers 109 without departing from thedisclosure

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the handle panels 135, 127 can be positioneddownwardly relative to the top panel 125 and into facing relation or atleast partial face-to-face contact with the front attachment panel 139,i.e., so that the front handle panel 135 is positioned in facingrelation with or least partial face-to-face contact with the frontattachment panel 139 in a first position of the handle panels 135,127/first configuration of the package carrier 105, e.g., a storageand/or transport configuration of the package carrier 105 that isprovided with a compact and sleek profile. Further, the downwardlyfolded and outward-facing arrangement of the exterior surface of theback handle panel 127 can provide a billboard as described above.

Referring additionally to FIG. 7, the handle panels 135, 127 cantogether be folded upwardly at the respective fold lines 131, 141 in thedirection of the arrow A5 so as to be positioned in upwardly oblique orupright relation to the top panel 125 and to provide the handle 157 forthe package carrier 105. For example, a consumer can grasp an undersideof the handle 157, e.g., along the back handle panel 127, along anaccess area provided by the recessed edge portion 155.

Such an arrangement can be a second position of the handle panels 135,127/a second or carrying configuration of the package carrier 105, inwhich the handle 157 is presented in a convenient orientation so as tobe grasped by a consumer. A consumer can insert one or more fingersthrough handle openings formed by folding of the respective alignedhandle flaps 143, 149 at the respective fold lines 145, 151 and suchthat the respective handle flaps 143, 149 separate from the respectivehandle panels 135, 127 at the respective cuts 147, 153. In this regard,the respective aligned handle flaps 143, 149 can be folded intooverlapping and/or at least partial face-to-face contact with the fronthandle panel 135 or the back handle panel 127, for example, to provide a4-ply structure with enhanced support and comfort to a consumer. It willbe understood that the handle 157 can have a different configurationwithout departing from the disclosure.

Upon lifting or carrying of the package carrier 105 by a consumer, thecontainers CA1, CB1; CA4, CB4 that are positioned closest to the handle157 can at least partially rest upon the respective containers CA2, CA3;CB2, CB3; CA5, CA6; and CB5, CB6 that are positioned furthest from thehandle 157. One or more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4, CA5, CA6,CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CB6 can be adhered to one or more of therespective container packages 107/container carriers 109 such that oneor more of the containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4, CA5, CA6, CB1, CB2, CB3,CB4, CB5, CB6 can be adhesively secured to both the respective containerpackages 107/container carriers 109 and the package carrier 105 tomaintain the integrity of the package carrier 105 during storage and/ormovement.

As described above, while the package carrier 105 has been describedherein as engaging and carrying a pair of container packages107/container carriers 109, the package carrier 105 can be configured tohold a different number of container packages 107/container carriers109, e.g., three or more container packages 107/container carriers 109,without departing from the disclosure. In one embodiment, the packagecarrier 105 can hold a single container package 107/container carrier109.

Turning to FIG. 8, an exterior surface 201 of a blank for forming apackage carrier according to a second exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure is generally designated as 203. The blank 203 includes one ormore features that are substantially similar to those described abovewith respect to the blank 103/package carrier 105, and like or similarreference numbers are used to designate like or similar features.

As shown, the blank 203 is generally wider along the lateral axis L2 ascompared to the blank 103, such that a larger resulting package carrier205 can be formed from the blank 203, for example, in the mannerdescribed above with respect to the package carrier 105. Accordingly,and as shown in FIG. 9, the package carrier 205 can be sized andconfigured to engage and support three side-by-side container packages107/container carriers 109. In this regard, should each package 107include containers CA1, CA2, CA3, CB1, CB2, CB3, the package carrier 205can be configured to engage and support as many as eighteen containers,though the package carrier 205 can engage and support more or lesscontainers without departing from the disclosure. In one embodiment, thepackage carrier 205 and the container packages 107/container carriers109 can together be provided as a system 211.

As also shown in FIG. 9, the package carrier 205 can be provided in afirst configuration, e.g., a storage and/or transport configuration ofthe package carrier 205 in which the front handle panel 135 isdownwardly folded into facing relation with or at least partialface-to-face contact with the front attachment panel 139, and with theback handle panel 127 facing outwardly, e.g., to provide a billboard asdescribed above. The handle panels 135, 127 can together be foldedupwardly at the respective fold lines 131, 141 in the direction of thearrow A6 so as to be in upwardly oblique or upright relation to thefront attachment panel 139 and to provide a handle 157 for the packagecarrier 205 in a second or carrying configuration of the package carrier205 as described above.

Turning to FIG. 10, an exterior surface 301 of a blank for forming apackage carrier according to a third exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure is generally designated as 303. The blank 303 includes one ormore features that are substantially similar to those described abovewith respect to the blank 103/package carrier 105 and the blank203/package carrier 205, and like or similar reference numbers are usedto designate like or similar features.

As shown, the blank 303 includes a removable lateral tear strip 357defined by a respective pair of spaced lateral tear lines 358, 359extending from one free edge of the top panel 125 to the opposite freeedge of the top panel 125. A lateral tear tab 361 is defined at onelateral end of the tear strip 357, and protrudes into a notch 363defined along a laterally lower free edge of the top panel 125.

As also shown, a removable longitudinal tear strip 365 is definedbetween a spaced pair of longitudinal tear lines 367, 368 that intersectand extend from a central portion of the longitudinally outermost tearline 359, across the fold line 133, and to a free edge of the backattachment panel 129. A longitudinal tear tab 369 is defined at onelongitudinal end of the tear strip 365, and protrudes into a notch 371defined along a free edge of the back attachment panel 129.

As shown in FIG. 11, a package carrier 305 can be formed from the blank303, for example, in the manner described above with respect to thepackage carriers 105 and 205. The package carrier 305 can be provided ina first configuration, e.g., a storage and/or transport configuration ofthe package carrier 305 in which the front handle panel 135 isdownwardly folded into facing relation with or at least partialface-to-face contact with the front attachment panel 139, and with theback handle panel 127 facing outwardly, e.g., to provide a billboard asdescribed above. The handle panels 135, 127 can together be foldedupwardly at the respective fold lines 131, 141 in the direction of thearrow A7 so as to be in upwardly oblique or upright relation to thefront attachment panel 139 and to provide a handle 157 for the packagecarrier 305 in a second or carrying configuration of the package carrier305 as described above. In one embodiment, the package carrier 305 andthe container packages 107/container carriers 109 can together beprovided as a system 311.

Referring additionally to FIG. 12, a consumer can engage one or both ofthe tear tabs 361, 369 and tear the respective tear strips 357, 365 awayfrom the top panel 125 at the respective tear lines 358, 359 and 367,368. The tear strip 365 can also be torn away from the respectiveportion of the back attachment panel 129 in this manner.

The aforementioned separation of the tear strips 357, 365 can allow aconsumer to engage the container packages 107/container carriers 109,for example, to separate the container packages 107/containers carriers109 from each other and/or the package carrier formed from the blank303. In this regard, the tear strips 357, 365 provide a package carrierformed from the blank 303 with convenient and readily accessible accessfeatures for a consumer to separate multiple packages 107/containerscarriers 109 from each other and/or from the package carrier, forexample, for individual storage and/or to access the containers attachedthereto.

For example, and as shown in FIG. 13, the handle 157, the frontattachment panel 139, and a portion of the top panel 125 between thetear lines 359 and the fold line 131 can be separated from the remainderof the top panel 125 such that a pair of modular package carriersections 373, 375 (broadly, “first package carrier section” and “secondpackage carrier section”, respectively) are provided separately from oneanother via the removed tear strip 365. Each of the modular packagecarrier sections 373, 375 includes a respective portion of the top panel125 (broadly, “first portion of the top panel” and “second portion ofthe top panel”) and a respective portion of the back attachment flap 129attached to a respective container package 107/container carrier 109. Inthis regard, the separated package carrier sections 373, 375 can be, forexample, separately stored or carried, or can provide additional accessto each respective container CA1, CA2, CA3, CA4, CA5, CA6, CB1, CB2,CB3, CB4, CB5, CB6.

The package carriers described above provide compact, sleek, andeasy-to-carry arrangements that can, for example, provide materialssavings and waste reduction. In one embodiment, the package carriers105, 205, 305 can be formed from overstock material, e.g., redundant ordiscarded paperboard so as minimize waste.

Furthermore, the coupling of the packages/container carriers as well asthe associated containers to the package carriers provides multiplepoints of attachment such that the package carriers are stable andsecure structures for storing and transporting packages, carriers, andcontainers.

In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having acaliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. Theblank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, orany other material having properties suitable for enabling the carrierto function at least generally as described above. The blank can becoated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then beprinted over with product, advertising, and other information or images.The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect informationprinted on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example,a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. Theblanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-likematerials at selected panels or panel sections.

As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partiallyinto the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series ofspaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely throughthe material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinationsof these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is inthe form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completelythrough the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly sothat a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material)is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarilyconnecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are brokenduring tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relativelysmall percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can beomitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is acontinuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the presentdisclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuousslit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit orcould be wider than a slit without departing from the presentdisclosure.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be anysubstantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form ofweakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, butnot for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure,fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a bluntscoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portionin the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extendspartially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or aseries of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through thematerial along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations ofthese features. In situations where cutting is used to create a foldline, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a mannerthat might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold lineto be a tear line.

The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panelsadhered together by glue during erection of the package carrierembodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner ofadhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.

The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describesvarious exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications,changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes onlyselected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable ofuse in various other combinations, modifications, and environments andis capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventiveconcept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings,and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore,certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may beselectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated andnon-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package carrier for holding at least twocontainer packages, the package carrier comprising: a plurality ofpanels comprising a top panel and at least one attachment panel; and ahandle, the top panel is for attachment to a top of the at least twocontainer packages such that the at least two container packages arejoined to the package carrier at the top panel.
 2. The package carrierof claim 1, wherein each container package comprises a top panel, atleast one side panel, and a plurality of container retention featuressupporting a respective container of a plurality of containers, andwherein the at least one attachment panel is for attachment to at leastone container of the respective plurality of containers.
 3. The packagecarrier of claim 2, wherein the at least one attachment panel is a frontattachment panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a backattachment panel.
 4. The package carrier of claim 2, wherein the handlecomprises a front handle panel foldably connected to a back handlepanel, the front attachment panel is foldably connected to the fronthandle panel, the back handle panel is foldably connected to the toppanel, and the back attachment panel is foldably connected to the toppanel.
 5. The package carrier of claim 4, wherein at least one handlereinforcement panel is foldably connected to at least one of the fronthandle panel and the back handle panel.
 6. The package carrier of claim1, wherein the handle is foldably connected to the top panel and isreconfigurable between a first configuration, in which the handle isfolded downwardly relative to the top panel, and a second configuration,in which the handle is folded upwardly relative to the top panel.
 7. Thepackage carrier of claim 6, wherein the handle comprises a front handlepanel foldably connected to a back handle panel, and an exterior surfaceof the back handle panel faces away from the front attachment panel whenthe handle is in the first configuration.
 8. The package carrier ofclaim 1, wherein the package carrier comprises at least one removabletear strip defined by at least one longitudinal tear line.
 9. Thepackage carrier of claim 8, wherein the at least one removable tearstrip is a longitudinal tear strip that extends from a portion of thetop panel to a free edge of the at least one attachment panel.
 10. Thepackage carrier of claim 9, wherein the package carrier furthercomprises a lateral removable tear strip defined by at least one lateraltear line extending between opposite free edges of the top panel. 11.The package carrier of claim 10, wherein the at least one longitudinaltear line intersects the at least one lateral tear line such that thelongitudinal tear strip intersects the lateral tear strip.
 12. Thepackage carrier of claim 10, wherein the at least two container packagescomprises a first container package and a second container package, andthe longitudinal tear strip and the lateral tear strip are for beingremoved from the top panel such that a first portion of the top panel isfor being attached to the first container package to form a firstpackage carrier section and a second portion of the top panel is forbeing attached to the second container package to form a second packagecarrier section that is separate from the first package carrier section.13. A blank for forming a package carrier for holding at least twocontainer packages, the blank comprising: a plurality of panelscomprising a top panel, at least one handle panel, and at least oneattachment panel, the top panel is for attachment to a top of the atleast two container packages when the package carrier is formed from theblank such that the at least two container packages are joined to thepackage carrier at the top panel.
 14. The blank of claim 13, whereineach container package comprises a top panel, at least one side panel,and a plurality of container retention features supporting a respectivecontainer of a plurality of containers, and wherein the at least oneattachment panel is for attachment to at least one container of therespective plurality of containers.
 15. The blank of claim 14, whereinthe at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel and theplurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel.
 16. Theblank of claim 14, wherein the handle comprises a front handle panelfoldably connected to a back handle panel, the front attachment panel isfoldably connected to the front handle panel, the back handle panel isfoldably connected to the top panel, and the back attachment panel isfoldably connected to the top panel.
 17. The blank of claim 16, whereinat least one handle reinforcement panel is foldably connected to atleast one of the front handle panel and the back handle panel.
 18. Theblank of claim 13, wherein the at least one handle panel is foldablyconnected to the top panel and is reconfigurable between a firstconfiguration, in which the at least one handle panel is foldeddownwardly relative to the top panel, and a second configuration, inwhich the at least one handle panel is folded upwardly relative to thetop panel.
 19. The blank of claim 18, wherein the at least one handlepanel is a front handle panel, and the at least one handle panel furthercomprises a back handle panel foldably connected to the front handlepanel.
 20. The blank of claim 13, wherein the blank comprises at leastone removable tear strip defined by at least one longitudinal tear line.21. The blank of claim 20, wherein the at least one removable tear stripis a longitudinal tear strip that extends from a portion of the toppanel to a free edge of the at least one attachment panel.
 22. The blankof claim 21, wherein the package carrier further comprises a lateralremovable tear strip defined by at least one lateral tear line extendingbetween opposite free edges of the top panel.
 23. The blank of claim 22,wherein the at least one longitudinal tear line intersects the at leastone lateral tear line such that the longitudinal tear strip intersectsthe lateral tear strip.
 24. The blank of claim 22, wherein thelongitudinal tear strip and the lateral tear strip are for being removedfrom the top panel to form a first portion of the top panel and a secondportion of the top panel.
 25. A method of forming a package carrier forholding at least two container packages, the method comprising:obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels that comprises a toppanel, at least one handle panel, and at least one attachment panel; andattaching the top panel to a top of the at least two container packagessuch that the at least two container packages are joined to the packagecarrier at the top panel.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein eachcontainer package comprises a top panel, at least one side panel, and aplurality of container retention features supporting a respectivecontainer of a plurality of containers, and wherein the at least oneattachment panel is for attachment to at least one container of therespective plurality of containers.
 27. The method of claim 26, whereinthe at least one attachment panel is a front attachment panel and theplurality of panels further comprises a back attachment panel.
 28. Themethod of claim 26, wherein the handle comprises a front handle panelfoldably connected to a back handle panel, the front attachment panel isfoldably connected to the front handle panel, the back handle panel isfoldably connected to the top panel, and the back attachment panel isfoldably connected to the top panel.
 29. The method of claim 28, whereinat least one handle reinforcement panel is foldably connected to atleast one of the front handle panel and the back handle panel.
 30. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the handle is foldably connected to the toppanel and is reconfigurable between a first configuration, in which thehandle is folded downwardly relative to the top panel, and a secondconfiguration, in which the handle is folded upwardly relative to thetop panel.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the handle comprises afront handle panel foldably connected to a back handle panel, and anexterior surface of the back handle panel faces away from the frontattachment panel when the handle is in the first configuration.
 32. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the package carrier comprises at least oneremovable tear strip defined by at least one longitudinal tear line. 33.The method of claim 32, wherein the at least one removable tear strip isa longitudinal tear strip that extends from a portion of the top panelto a free edge of the at least one attachment panel.
 34. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the package carrier further comprises a lateralremovable tear strip defined by at least one lateral tear line extendingbetween opposite free edges of the top panel.
 35. The method of claim34, wherein the at least one longitudinal tear line intersects the atleast one lateral tear line such that the longitudinal tear stripintersects the lateral tear strip.
 36. The method of claim 34, whereinthe at least two container packages comprises a first container packageand a second container package, and the longitudinal tear strip and thelateral tear strip are for being removed from the top panel such that afirst portion of the top panel is for being attached to the firstcontainer package to form a first package carrier section and a secondportion of the top panel is for being attached to the second containerpackage to form a second package carrier section that is separate fromthe first package carrier section.
 37. A package carrier in combinationwith at least two container packages, the combination comprising: thepackage carrier, the package carrier comprising a plurality of panelsthat comprises a top panel and at least one attachment panel, thepackage carrier further comprising a handle; and the at least twocontainer packages, the top panel attached to a top of the at least twocontainer packages such that the at least two container packages arejoined to the package carrier at the top panel.
 38. The combination ofclaim 37, wherein each container package comprises a top panel, at leastone side panel, and a plurality of container retention featuressupporting a respective container of a plurality of containers, andwherein the at least one attachment panel is attached to at least onecontainer of the respective plurality of containers.
 39. The combinationof claim 38, wherein the at least one attachment panel is a frontattachment panel and the plurality of panels further comprises a backattachment panel.
 40. The combination of claim 38, wherein the handlecomprises a front handle panel foldably connected to a back handlepanel, the front attachment panel is foldably connected to the fronthandle panel, the back handle panel is foldably connected to the toppanel, and the back attachment panel is foldably connected to the toppanel.
 41. The combination of claim 40, wherein at least one handlereinforcement panel is foldably connected to at least one of the fronthandle panel and the back handle panel.
 42. The combination of claim 37,wherein the handle is foldably connected to the top panel and isreconfigurable between a first configuration, in which the handle isfolded downwardly relative to the top panel, and a second configuration,in which the handle is folded upwardly relative to the top panel. 43.The combination of claim 42, wherein the handle comprises a front handlepanel foldably connected to a back handle panel, and an exterior surfaceof the back handle panel faces away from the front attachment panel whenthe handle is in the first configuration.
 44. The combination of claim37, wherein the package carrier comprises at least one removable tearstrip defined by at least one longitudinal tear line.
 45. Thecombination of claim 44, wherein the at least one removable tear stripis a longitudinal tear strip that extends from a portion of the toppanel to a free edge of the at least one attachment panel.
 46. Thecombination of claim 45, wherein the package carrier further comprises alateral removable tear strip defined by at least one lateral tear lineextending between opposite free edges of the top panel.
 47. Thecombination of claim 46, wherein the at least one longitudinal tear lineintersects the at least one lateral tear line such that the longitudinaltear strip intersects the lateral tear strip.
 48. The combination ofclaim 46, wherein the at least two container packages comprises a firstcontainer package and a second container package, and the longitudinaltear strip and the lateral tear strip are for being removed from the toppanel such that a first portion of the top panel is attached to thefirst container package to form a first package carrier section and asecond portion of the top panel is attached to the second containerpackage to form a second package carrier section that is separate fromthe first package carrier section.